Addiction Flashcards
awful feeling, no sleep last night, visible sweating and a tremor.
PMH: panic disorder treated with benzodiazepines.
Non smoker, drinks alcohol. Takes xanax.
Dx?
benzodiazepine withdrawal
Ix for ?benzodiazepine withdrawal
UDS
Mx of ?benzodiazepine withdrawal
give a long acting benzo and taper it down
can benzo withdrawal be lethal?
YES
when can benzos be used
no other choice for severe anxiety
rapid tranq
medical reasons eg epilepsy
risk factors for benzo withdrawal
prolonged use
high doses
short acting benzos
MoA of benzos
target gaba a positive allosteric modulators –> bind so receptor has greater affinity for gaba –> increased flow of Cl- –> hyperpolarisation –> reduced excitability & less likely to fire
withdrawal features of benxos
anxiety
irritability
restlessness
tremor
sweating
insomnia
confusion
seizure / psychosis risk
toxicity of benzos
drowsy
ataxia
slurred speech
reduced conciousness
toxiticy of benzos
hypotension
bradycardia
antidote to benzos
flumazenil (antagonist)
how is benzo dependance managed
GP / addiction services
convert to diazepam equivalent dose daily (up to 40mg OD)
very slowly reduce the dose - no more than 10% every 2 weeks
what can be tested on UDS
amphetamines
barbiturates
benzos
cocaine
ectasy
meth
morphine
methadone
opiates
TCAs
cannabis
range of detection of cannabis in UDS
casual use - 1-14 days
heavy use up to 30 days
range of detection of other drugs in UDS
2-6 days ish
back injury with codeine 60mg every 4 hours, 4 times per day. comes in saying she lost prescription so needs another & has contacted OOHs to get more separately. admits to buying co-codamol too, and taking more than prescribed.
says she has withdrawal Sx when trying to cut down. Dx?
opioid dependance
red flags of opioid dependence Hx
lost prescription
going to different pharmacies to get max amount
buying meds off friends
define harmful use
a pattern of psychoactive sybstance use that is damaging to health
- physical or mental damage
define substance abuse / dependence
the continued misuse of any psychoactive substance that severely affects a person’s physical and mental health, social situation and responsibilities
what is a psychoactive substance
substance that has an effect of central nervous system
define the 6 criteria of ICD 10 dependence syndrome
- strong desire / compulsion to take substance
- difficulties controlling substance taking behaviour
- physiological withdrawal state when they stop using substance
- evidence of tolerance
- progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests
- persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences
how many criteria are needed for a diagnosis of dependence with ICD 10 criteria
3+
stages of change model
pre contemplation
contemplation
preparation
action
maintenance
relapse OR abstinence
what method can you use to move someone from pre contemplation to contemplation
FRAMES
- feedback about risk / impairment
- responsibility for change is placed on pt
- advice given to pt
- menu of alternative self help / treatment
- empathic style used
- self efficacy / optimistic empowerment
Ix for ?alcohol dependence
CAGE / AUDIT / FAST questionnaire
LFTs
Alcohol Hx questions
what / how much / when / where drinking
alone or with friends
withdrawal - what / when / alcohol needed to overcome
triggers for drinking
binging / steady drinking
longest period of abstinence
any help sought for drinking / psych conditions
drugs / crimes
FH
how do you calculate units of alcohol
[ABV x volume (mL)] / 1000
define alcohol dependence syndrome (Edwards and Gross 1976)
narrowing of drinking repertoire
salience of drink-seeking behaviour
increased tolerance
repeated withdrawal syndrome
relief / avoidance of withdrawal Sx by further drinking
subjective awareness of compulsion to drink
reinstatement after abstinence
do alcoholics have 1 drink of choice or will they drink any alcohol
1 drink of choice usually